Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus.



-W. F. POLLETT. RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

A 1 9 1 0O 2 e w u d w n .w aw P a. m .8 m 0 0 D E L I F. N 0 I T A .L P P A 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES W. P. FOLLETT. RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

I APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8, 1913. 1,101,068. Patented June 23, 1914 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A I QN mvamdn N UE WITNESSES W. F. FOLLETT. V RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8,1913. I 1 ,101,O68. Patented June 23, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR fima? fax: [3

wrmssszs ioness pain; s'rn'ras Parana are.

WALDO RIOLLETT, OF NEW HAVEIT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PE

SYLVA'NIA.

NNSYLVANIA, A CORIPORATION OF PENN- RAILWAY-TRAFFIC-CONTBOLLING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters .E'atent. Patented June 23, 19141 Continuation of applications Serial No 600,495, filed January 3, 1911, and of Serial No. 684,995, filed March 20, 1912. This application filed October 8, 1 913. Serial No. 793,998.

To all whom it may concern Be it knownthat I, WALDO F. FOLLETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway- Trafiic-Controlling Apparatus, of w'hich the of my copcnding applications filed January rent is supplied chine.

3, 1911, Serial No; 600395, 1912, Serial No. 684,995.

I will describe certain forms of apparatus and circuits embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one form and arrangement of apparatus and circuits for the control and operation of a railway switch and embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing a modificationof the apparatus and circuits shown in Fig. 1 and embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a view showing apparatus and circuits similar to those shown in Fig. 2 but applied to the control of the two switches of a crossover.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, 0 designates a railway switch which is operated bye-switch mechanism C. The mechanism C comprises an electric motor to which operating curfrom power mains X, which are connected with a battery 70. The supply of operating current to the motor is controlled by a relay device It, located preferably adjacent the switch; which relay device is controlled by a manually operable circuit controlling lever E through the medium of control wires 9 and 14:- The lever E is usually one of a'plurality of similar levers comprised in an interlocking maand March 20,

from a central control- The switch mechanism C may be of any suitable type. In the form here shown, an electric motor F operates through suitable gearing a bar 4: adapted to reciprocate.

This bar t carries a stud 5 which engages an alligator crank 6, which latter is connected with the rails of switch a by a rod 6. Fixed to the bar 4 are two dogs 10 and 11 which operate respectively two rocking circuit controllers 12 and 13 in a well-known manner, and a rod 7 connected with the switch rails operates a circuit controller .8 for the purposes hereinafter explained.

The circuit controlling lever E comprises a shaft 15 carrying disks 2 of insulating material on which are contact bands 16, 57, 58

and 59 of conducting material, which bands are adapted to engage with contact fingers 17, 17*, etc., for the control of the electrical circuits. This shaft 15 may be oscillated means of a handle 18, and its oscillations are controlled by indication devices K and K which are operated by magnets 22 and 21 respectively.

The relay device R comprises a field 23 on f which is a field winding 23, andan armature 2 L which is adapted to oscillate through a small arc of a circle. Operatively connected with the armature 241. are contacts 26 and 27 which are adapted to control the circuits of motor F as hereinafter explained.

The winding of armature 24 is constantly: connected with the power mains X, Y, through wire 12, resistance H wires 13 and 14, hence this winding is constantly energized in one direction. The field winding 28 is provided with a circuit which is energized from the power mains X, Y and is controlled by contact lever E. This circuit is closed when the lever E occupies either extreme position of its stroke; for example, when the lever is in the position in which it is shown in the drawing, the circuit for field winding 23 is from positive power mainX through wire 28, contact 17, contact band 16, contact 17", wire 36, winding ofrelay 32, wire 9, resistance H, field winding 23, wire 14, winding of relay 33, wire 31, contact 1'2", band 16*, contact 17 to negative power main Y.

The resistance of this circuit is such that relays 32 and 33 are not closed.

The operatlon of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: In order to reverse the bands 16, 16 etc., on

right, that is, in the directionindicated by the arrow on the handle 18, until stopped by the indication latch 21 engaging the dog 19 of segment 19. The direction of current through field winding 23 is then reversed,

the circuit for this winding then being as 2O 4 33, and the resistance of the field winding 23, the current which flows in the circuitfo lows: from positive main X through wires 28 and 29, contact 17", contact band 16*, contact 17"., wires 30 and 31, relay,- 33, wire 14, field winding 23, resistance H, wire 9, relay 32, wires 36 and 38, contact 17 contact band 16, contact 17, wire 39 to negative main Y. It will be seen, therefore, that'the contact bands 16, etc., and the contacts 17, etc, constitute a pole changer for reversing the connection of field winding 23 with the power mains X and Y. Owing to the resist ance H, the resistance-of. relays 32 and just traced is insutficient to close the armatures 40 and 41 of relays 32 and 33. The field 23 is now nergized with current in the proper direc ion to cause the armature-'- ,24 to swing in the direction indicated by the arrow, thereby shifting contact bars ,26 and 27 to'close the opposite set of contacts. An operating circuit is then closed through the windings of motor F as follows: from positive main X through .wires 42 and 45, cir- 2 cuit controller 12', wire 46, contact bar 27,

wire. 47 field winding of motor F wire .-50,contact bar 27, wires- 43 and 49, armature winding 7 of. motor I F,

.1 oansideration. I lli mpleted, circuit controller 12 i wires 90 and 44 to negative .main Y. The motor F then operates to move bar 4 in the direction 'indicated'by the. arrow, thereby reversing: the position of the switch railsc. Before the movement of the switch rails begins, thfejcircuit controller .13 is rocked into its-opposite position bydog 11, but this has noefi'ect on the circuits now under Aifhfil the movement of the rockedi'by' dog 10' to its oppositeposition, thereby. openi -ig the motor operating circuit s rails, so that at the completion of this movebetween wires 45 and 46: Circuit controller 8 isrevers'ed by the movement of the switch ment a circuit is closed from wire 14 through wire 51, circuit controller 8 wire 52, circuit controller 12,'wire 53, contact bar 26, wires 37 and 54, contact 17*, contact band 57, contact 17 resistance H to negative main Y.

This branch of the circuit forms a shunt or Qinultiple circuit around the field winding 23, resistance H, and relay 32 of the hereinbefore described circuit and the current which now passes through the two.

multiple circuits 'issuflicient to cause 33 to close its armature 41. Armature 41 then closes a branch from wire 37 through armature 41, wire 55, contact 17, contact band open the circuit of field winding 23 at con tact bands 16, etc.

A movement of the switch rails c in the opposite direction would be accomplished in a similar manner, the current then passing from the power mains through control wires 9 and 14 and the field winding 23 in the reverse direction, and thereby changing the position of contact bars 26 and 27 to cause the motor F to rotate in the reverse dircction. In this case, relay 32 would be energized upon the completion of the movement of the switch rails, allowing indication mag net 22 to raisethe latch 22 from the path of the dog 20 on segment20.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the switch op- 'erating mechanism C here shown com-. prises a screw 115 operatively connected with the armature f of motor F, which screw cooperates with a longitudinally movable nut 116. This nut is rigidly connected with a plate 118 provided with a cam slot 120 which co-acts with a roller 117, which latter drives a bar 119 connected with the rails of switchc. The plate 118 carries two cams 130 and 131 which actuate circuit con trollers 132 and 133 for purposes hereinafter explained. The circuit controlling lever E, shown in Fig. 2, is of a usual and well known type comprising a shaft 91 which is adapted to be oscillated manually and which operates contact members 121 to 126 inclusive. The movements of this shaft are as usual governed by return indication devices K and K which devices are operated by magnets 22 and 21 respectively. Each of these magnets is provided with a separate indication circuit, the circuit for magnet 22 being controlled by. circuit con troller 132 and that for magnet 21 by C11? cuit controller 133. One or the other of these circuit controllers is closed after the switchc has completed its movement in one direction or the other and has been locked; and-the indication device corresponding to thatposition of the switch is thereby energized to permitthe controlling lever to complete-its oscillation and to' loclcor unlock other levers of the interlocking machine. The circuit controllers 125 and 126 serve to control the circuits of indication magnets 21 and 22. These controllers are not moved during the first portion of the movement of the shaft 91 up to the point at which it is stopped by the dogs 19 or 20*, but during :iaeroqs the remainder of the movement the shaft the circuit controllers 125 and 126 are reversed in position." As here shown, this op- -eration or these circuit controllers is obtained by mounting them loosely on the shaft 91 and moving them by pins 61, 62, 63 and 64 fixed in disks 65 and 66 which are s'ecured to the shaft 91. The relay 3 shown in Fig. 2 is similar to the corresponding relay R shown in Fig. 1 and hereinbefore ex.- plained. The winding of the armature 24 of this relay is constantly supplied with current from the power mains .X, by wires. 138 and 139, and the field winding 23 is included in a control circuit which is also normally supplied with current from the power mains X, Y, and which is controlled by contacts 121 and 122 of the controlling lever E. Contacts 121 and 122 constitute a pole-changer for reversely connect-' ing the field winding 23 with the power mains X and Y. The position assumed by the relay armature 24 depends upon the direction of current through the field winding 23, .and this direction depends upon the positionof lever E. As shown in the drawing, the switch is in the normal position and the other parts of the apparatus are in their corresponding positions. WVhen it is desired to lreverse the position of the switch 0, the manhal lever E is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow until the dog 19 of indication device K engages with latch 21*. l The control'circuit through field winding 23 of relay R is then as follows:

from positive power main X, through wire 144, contact 26, wire 145, motor position.

140, contact 121, wire 141, winding 23, wire 142, contact 122, wire 143 to negative power main Y. The current which thus flows through winding 23 is inthe proper direction to cause the armature 24 to move contact bars 26 and 27 to the opposite position to that shown, thereby closing the following operating circuit for motor F-from positive power main X, through wires 138, and armature f, wires 146 and 147, contact 27, wire 148, contact 133, wires 149 and 150, motor field f, wires 151 and 139 to negative power main Y. The motor F is thereby operated in the proper direction to cause it to actuate mechanism C to move switch 0 to its reverse When this movement has been completed and the switch rails have been locked by the longitudinal portion of cam slot 120, the circuit controlling contact 133 is reversed in position by means of dog 131 and the motor operating circuit is thereby opened between wires 148 and 140. At the same time an indication circuit is closed through magnet 21 of indication'device K as follows: from positive power main X, through wires 138, 152 and 153, contact 133, wire 154, contact 125, wire 155, magnet 21, wire 156 to negative main Y. Magnet 21 is energized by this current and raises its armature,thereby moving'latch 21 out of the path of .dog 19 and the lever E may then be moved tothe end of its stroke. Dre ing this latter portion of "the movement of lever E, contact 125 is reversed and thereby opens the circuit otmagnet 21 at this contact. reverse position to the normal position shown in Fig; 2 would be similar to that just described. For such movement, the direction of the control current through field winding 23 of relay R is reversed by con- A movement of switch 0 from its I tacts 121 and 122, and'contact bars 26 and.

27 are thereby moved to the position shown in the drawing. A motor operating circuit is then closed through motor F fromv positive power main X through wires 138 and 144, contact 26, wire 146, motor armature f,

wire 145, contact 27, wire 157, contact 132, wires 158 and 150, field f, wires 151, and 139, to negative power main Y. This current is in the proper direction to cause the motor to move the switch to its normal position; WVhen this movement has been completed and the switch rails have been locked by the longitudinal portion of the cam slot 120, circuit controller 132 is moved to the position shown in the drawing, thereby closing the following indication circuit through magnet 22 of normal indication device K ,from positive power main X, through wires 138, 162 and 159, contact 132, wire 160, contact 126, wire 161, magnet 22, wire 156 to negative power main Y. The control lever is then permitted to complete its movement thereby opening the indication'circuit just traced at contact 126.

It will be noted that in the form of my in;

ventionshown in Fig.2, as well as in the form shown in Fig. 1, the circuit for the field Winding 23 of relay Bis closed when the control lever E occupies either extreme position of itsstroke. This is an importantfeature of my invention.

67 is a relay which may be employed to control any desired circuit or circuits. The circuit for this relay includes the tWo indication wires 154 and 160, and branch wires 68 and 69 connected respectively with the indt cation wires 154 and 160. The branch wires 68 and 69 include respectively contacts'123 and 124 one of which is closed onlyw'hen the lever E is in one extreme position of its stroke and the other of which is closed only when the lever is in the other extreme position of its stroke. It will be seen, therefore, that the relay 67 is energized only when the switch 0 and the control lever E are in corresponding ositions and when each occupies an extreme position of its movement.

Referring now to Fig. 3, I here show across-over comprisingtwo switches cl and (Z, both of which are controlled by the man ual lever E". Each switch 11 and d is operlay It as in Fig. 2. It is well understood that energized by this circuit, the stroke of lever ated by a motor 1* through the medium of an operating mechanism G exactlyiaslthe switch a in Fig. 3. The two motors F, F, are each provided with an operating circuit each of which circuits is'controlled by arewhen the two switches of a crossover are itrolled by -a single lever it is essential that the return indication should .be given only when both switches have moved hnd have been locked in respoiise to amovement of the controlling lever. In the arrangement of apparatus and circuits here shown, each indication circuit includes two circuit controllers in series, one of which is operated by one switch mechanism and the other by the other switchmechanism. In this manner I insure that both switches have moved to the position corresponding to the'position of the controlling lever before the indication circuit for that position can be closed. As shown in Fig. 3 both of the s *itches (Z and (Z are in their normal positions. Then it is desired to reverse these switches, lever E is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow until it is stopped by the engagement of dog 1S) of indication device K with latch 21 'lhis reverses the current trough winding 23 of relay R and this relay is thereby actuated to reverse the position of contact members 26 and 27. Current is then supplied to the operating circuits of the motors F, F. T he operating circuit for motor]? of switch (Z is from positive power main K through wires 190 and 162, contact 26, wire 163, motor armature f. wires 16% and 165, contact 27, wire 16G, contact 133, wires 16] and 168, motor field f, wires 16!) and 170 to negative power main Y. The operating circuit for the motor of switch (Z is from positive power main X through wires 190, 162 and 171, contact- 26, wires 172 and 12'3, motor armature 7", wire 17%, contact 27, Wire 175, contact: 133, wires 176 and 177, motor field f, wires 1.78 and 170 to negative power main Y. When the movements of both switches have been completed and the switches have been locked, circuit controllers 133 of both switch mechanisms are reversed iii-position thereby opening the 'mctor circuits just traced .and closing the reverse indication circuit which is as follows: from positive power main X, through wires 190, 162 and 179, contact 133 for switch (:1, wires 180, 181 and 182, contact 133 for switch (Z, wire 151, contact 125, Wire 1535, reverse indication magnet 21, wire 156 to negative power main Y. Magnet 21 being E Tan be completed, thereby opening the indication circuit just traced at contact 125. A movement of the two switchesin the opposite direction, that is-to their normal po sitions, is similar to that just traced and therefore need not be explained herein in detail. The relay 67 is controlled in the same manner as'in Fig. 2, hence no further explanatlon is necessary. 7

Although I have herein shown and described only a few forms and arrangements of apparatus and circuits embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be. made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope 011 my invention.

"Having thus described my invention, what I claimis: i

j 1. In combination with a trailic controlling device; means for operating said device from one position to another comprising an electric motor; a source of operating current; a relay comprising afield coil and an armature coil; contacts moved by the relay for controlling the supply of operating current to the electric motor to cause reverse operations of the electric motor; a circuit including one coil of the relay and constantly energized from the source of operat ing current; a control lever; contacts operated thereby; and a circuit for the other coil of the relay controlled by said contacts and energized from said source of operating current when the control lever is in either extreme position; which control lever when operated in reverse directions moves its contacts to cause reversals of current in the cir cuit including them whereby reverse operations of the relay and consequently the electric motor are obtained.

'2'. In combination with a traflic controlling device; means for operating said device from one position to another comprising an electric motor; a source of operating current; a relay comprising a field coil and an armature coil contacts moved by the relay for controllin'g the supply of operating current to the electric motor to cause reverse operations ofthe electric motor; a circuit including one coil of the relay and constantly energized from the source of operating current; acontrol lever; contacts operated thereby; a circuit for the other coil of the relay controlled by said contacts and energized-from said source of operating current when the cont ol lever occupies either extreme position, ii'ch control lever when operated in reverse directions moves its contacts to cause reversals of current in the circuit including them, whereby reverse operations of the relay and consequently the electric motor are obtained;and an indication means for said device; an indication circuit therefor also supplied from the source of operating current; and contacts in said indication circuit moved by the control lever and by the means operating the traific controlling device:

3. In combination, a single set of power mains; a source of current for constantly supplying current thereto; a traflic controlcuit for the relay controlled by energized from the power in reverse directions ling device including an electric motor; an

controlling said operating circuit; a relay for operating the current reversing switch; a circuit for said relay independent of the operating circuit; and constantly supplied with current from the power mains; a control lever; contacts operated thereby for causing reversals of current flow in the relay circuit; an indication device for controlling partial movements of said control lever and comprising a magnet; and a circuit for said magnet which is independent of the operating circuit and supplied with current from the power mains.

at. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, means for operating said device in reverse directions comprising an electric motor; a' source of current, a relay for controlling the supply of current fromsaid source to the'motor to cause reverse operations of the motor; a control lever, contacts operated by the lever, and a cirsaid contacts and including said source, which circuit is closed when the control lever is in either extreme position, which lever when moved in reverse directions'moves its contacts to cause reversals of current in the relay circuit, whereby reverse operations of the relay and thereby of the electric motor and tratlic controlling device are accomplished. V.

5. In combination a traffic controlling de vice, means-for operating said device in reverse directions comprising an electric motor, power mains, a source of current supply therefor, an operating circuit for said motor supplied with current from said mains, a relay for said device comprising a field coil and an armature coil and contacts for controlling the supply of operating current to the electric motor to cause reverse operations of the electric motor, a circuit including'one coil of the relay and constantly mains, a control lever for said device located at a distance therefrom, contacts operated by said lever,

a circuit for the other coil of the relay which circuit is controlled by said contactsand is energized from said power mains when the lever is in either extreme position, said control lever adapted when operated to move its contacts to cause reversals of current in the circuit including them, whereby reverse operations of the relay and consequently of the electric motor and traffic controlling device are accompli shed. V

6. In combination, a railway tratlic controlling device, means for said device for operating it in reverse directions comprising an electric motor; power mains, a source a relay for relays,

of current supply for said mains,

said device for controlling the supply of current from said mains to the motor to cause reverse operations of the motor, a control lever for said relay located at a dis tance from the relay, contacts operated by saidlever, a circuit for said relay in luding' the power mains and controlled by the .said lever contacts, which circuit is closed when the lever occupies either of its extreme positions, said control lever being adapted when moved in reverse directions-to move its contacts to cause reversals of current in the rel aywhereby reverse operations of the relay and of the motor and traflic controlling device are accomplished. V l

7. In combination, a railway trat'ric controlling device, means for moving said device, a circuit for the control of said means, a circuit controller for the control of said circuit, a relay included in said circuit. the

resistance of the circuit being normally such that the relay is not closed, means controlled by the traffic controlling device for reduc ing the resistance of the circuit under predetermined conditions whereby the relay will then close, and means controlled by the relay for governing the movement of the circuit controller.

8. In combination, means for moving the switch, a circuit a railway switch, for

the control of said means, a circuit controller for the control of said circuit and having two control positions corresponding to the two positions of the switch, two locking devices for the circuit controller, one for preventing complete movement of the controller toeach position until the switch has moved to the corresponding cluded in the said circuit one for the control of each locking device, the resistance of the circuit being normally such that the current is insufficient to energize the relays, two low resistance shunts for the said circuit,one around each relay and a portion of the resistance of the circuit, a circuit controller in each shunt one or the other of which is closed when the switch is in one extreme position or the other whereby the current is then suflicient to energite the relay which is. not then shunted.

9. In combination, a railway switch, apparatus for moving the switch, a circuit for the control of said apparatus, a circuit controller for the control of the circuit and having two control positions corresponding to the two positions of the switch, locking means one for each position of the controller for governing the movement of thecircuit controller to relays included in the said circuit, one for the control of the locking means for each position of the circuit controller, the resistance of the circuit being normally such that the current is not suliicient to energize the and means controlled by the switch position, two relays ln- M I 1 p 1,101,0ee

moving apparatus when in its two extreme positions for increasing the current through that one of said relays corresponding to such position whereby such relay will be energized to actuate the locking means corresponding to the position of the switch.

10. In combination, a railway t'rafiic controlling device, means for moving the device, a circuit for the control of said means, a circuit controller for the control of said circuit, locking means for preventing complete movement of the circuit controller until the traffic controlling; device hasmoved to the position corresponding to the position of thecircuit controller, relays one for each position of the device for the control of said locking means and included. in the said circuit, the resistance ofthe circuit being nor mally such that the current is insuilicient tofenergize the relays, and means operatively connected with the trailic controlling device and acting when. said device has moved to the position corresponding to the position of the circuit controller to affect the circuit to increase the current in the relay corresponding to such position whereby the locking means is then actuated to release the circuit controller.

11. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, means for moving said device, a circuit for the control of said means, a circuit controller for the control of said circuit, a relay included in said circuit for 'governing the movement of the circuit controller, the current which flows in the circuit being normally insuthcient to energize the said rela 7 and means 0 erativel. .0011- I nected with the traiiiccontrolling device for affecting the circuit to increase the current flowing therein when the said device has moved to a predetermined position whereby the relay will then be energized.

1:2. In combination, a railway trafiic con-. trolling device, means for operating said device in reverse directions comprising an elec-. tric motor; a source of current, a relay for controlling the supply of current from said source to the motor to cause reverse operan'isin an electroma net a circuit for said electromagnet independent of the said operatlng circuit and control circuit, and contacts operated by the tratlic controlling device and by the control lever for controlling said electroma gnet circuit.

13. In combination, a railway trailic controlling device, means for operating said devie comprising an electric motor, a source of current, a relay comprising two coils, said relay comprisingcontacts for controlling the supply of current to the said motor from said source to cause reverse operations of the motor, means for energizing one of said relay coils from said source in only one direction, a control lever, contacts operated thereby, a circuit for the other relay coil controlled by said contacts and energized from said source of current when the lever is in either extreme position, which control lever when operated in reverse directions moves its contacts to cause reversals of current in the last-mentioned relay coil, where by reverse operations of the relay and therefore of the electric motor and traiiic control-v ling device are accomplished.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, 'warno it rormrr.

l Vitnesses r E. F. BUS e'rrr, M. 5. lIIRIL 

